Student & Family Update

I hope that you have had a great first full week of 2025!

Good luck to the cast and crew in tonight's one-off performance of And Then There Was One! A lot of hard work has gone into preparing and I hope that you enjoy the experience. Huge thanks to Director Paul and the team of Owa and Ethan in helping prepare students. Thanks also to parent volunteers for giving up their time to support the arts and to the audience for coming to watch. Details of the Spring Musical will be shared in the next two weeks.

Winter Dance: Feb 1, 7-9pm

The Student Council has been hard at work preparing for the next student social event. Check below to see if your student is eligible.

Spam Emails

Every once in a while we have had an influx of spam email messages being sent to our staff and students. Being aware of what to look for and knowing what to do are important steps in keeping our systems secure and information safe. Here are some pro tips to avoid issues that are associated with engaging with spam or phishing email messages:

- note whether the email seems out of place, is sent by someone unknown to you, has misspellings or strange wording, or is offering something that may be "too good to be true."

- DO NOT CLICK ANY LINKS

- report suspicious emails to our IT Support partner, Twin Lakes Technology: support@twinlakesconsulting.zendesk.com

Please read on for information and news related to our busy school. This includes:

• MTRS move to Integrated Math in 2025-26
• Field Trip and Dance eligibility reminder
• Athletics updates
• MCAS updates
• Student Services updates
• AP Brault's Culture Corner
• Grade 8 moving to 1:1 with chrome books in S2 (Starting January 27th)
• SEPAC updates
• Sustainability updates and proposed district suggestions

If you are reading this newsletter on a phone or laptop, don't forget to click on "read entire message" in order to see the complete newsletter.

Finally, we do our best to convey information to our community from a variety of sources, lots of them community rather than school based organizations. Unfortunately we are not able to share images and posters with live links through Smore but always ensure there is an email for inquiries. If you would like an e-copy of a poster with live links, please feel free to reach out to the office directly.

Have a great weekend and see you on Monday

Best

Chris

Upcoming dates

• Jan 20th: MLK day - no school
• Feb 1st: Winter Dance 7-9pm
• Feb break: 17 - 21st
• March 6th - CPR and First Aid training for Grade 10
• April 2nd: SLC for grades 7,8,9,10,11,12 (11:30 dismissal for all students!)
  
• April break: 21-25th
• May29th: Smithsonian Celebration, Pathways Panels and Senior Awards evening (The new version of Celebration of Learning)
• May 30th: Class of 2025 Graduation
• June 12th: Tentative last day of school for students (this may change based on snow days!)

MCAS and AP schedule for 2024/25

Bell Schedule

District (Calendar for 24/25)

Student Handbook

Live course catalog 2024/25

Food Services Information

Live Solar Panel Energy Information

Twin Lakes has taken over from Suzor as our IT company. support@twinlakesconsulting.zendesk.com

Quarter 2: 45 days

First Day: Friday, November 1st, 2024

Last Day: Tues, January 21, 2024

Q2 progress report grades close on: Friday, December 6, 2024

Q2 progress report grading window: Thursday, Dec 5 - Thursday Dec 12 at 11:59pm

Q2 progress reports will be distributed on: Friday, December 13, 2024

Q2 grading window: Thursday, January 16th - Sunday, Jan 26th 2024 at 11:59pm

Q2 report cards will be available in Aspen on: Monday, January 27th, 2024

Caregivers in Grade 8, please be aware that as part of the gradual release of responsibility with chrome books, we will be moving to a 1:1 program at the start of semester 2. The expectation is that students will be responsible for charging and bringing their devices to and from school each day as well as making sure their devices remain in good condition. This will set all grade 8 students up for success in grade 9 and beyond.

Timeline for 24/25

• Friday Dec 6, 13, 20th: Timeline and documents shared in the newsletter

• Friday January 3rd & 10th: Families will be reminded of the progress via personal email and in the newsletter

• Monday January 13th: Students will be issued paperwork to take home, complete and return to Chelsea anytime before and including on Wednesday 29th January.(If they haven’t done so already)

• Friday January 24th: Devices to be taken to the IT office by 2pm

• Monday January 27th - Tuesday January 28th: Devices readied by Twin Lakes

• Wednesday January 29th: Grade 8 students to be issued devices

Wednesday January 29th

Students will be called to collect devices during the following times: 9:08 - 56

Students who forget their devices?

Students should be reminded to charge their devices each night and bring them in each morning. A single trolley of loaners will be kept with Emily in the library.

If a student comes to a class without a device, the teacher should email the advisor who should follow up with the student and communicate home.

If a student forgets their device on three separate days, the advisor should communicate this to Admin who will follow up at home. The student may be asked to move to a 1:1 in-school plan.

At the January School Committee meeting earlier this week, Principal Chris Buckland, Director of Curriculum, Sarah Jetson and District Math Coach, Wayne Kerminsky presented the MTRS roadmap to transition to Integrated Math starting in August of 2025.

Below is an outline of what IM is , how it compares with traditional, Algebra/ Geometry/ Algebra, why this move aligns well with our school-wide move to standards based teaching and learning and how this provides a robust foundation for students to be able to reach AP Calculus and beyond.

In addition to this explanation, there are four upcoming opportunities for families and caregivers to ask questions about this transition:

Virtual Q & A: Thursday January 16th: 6-6:45pm

Virtual Q & A: Thursday January 23rd: 6-6:45pm

Meeting ID

meet.google.com/czm-fxyj-tnf

Phone Numbers

(‪US‬)‪+1 316-536-0280‬

PIN: ‪425 524 974#‬

Local Education Council virtual meeting: Feb 12th: 3:45-4:30

Meeting ID

meet.google.com/gzo-toke-ibz

Phone Numbers

(‪US‬)‪+1 813-435-9650‬

PIN: ‪741 012 215#‬

Principal's virtual Drop in: Feb 14th: 8-9am

Meeting ID: meet.google.com/jtz-yhet-ipo
Phone Number: (US)+1 (813) 773-5581
PIN: 636 883 303

What is IM?

Algebra I, Geometry, and Algebra II (AGA) are integrated, so that concepts can be frequently reviewed and built on. Additionally, concepts in Algebra and Geometry are interwoven in order to make connections between the two traditionally separate maths.

What does the research say?

NCTM president Shaughnessy

• “Exposure to relevant applications of algebra integrated with statistics and geometry throughout a high school student’s learning of mathematics will help instill more meaning and sense making in his or her algebra experience and lay a foundation for transition options to college mathematics.”

• “90 percent of the rest of the world teaches mathematics by using an integrated approach.” In general, U.S. students do not perform as well in math as other countries.

In Transition to Common Core, Some High Schools Turn to ‘Integrated’ Math Ed. Week

• “A study published in the Journal for Research in Mathematics Education last year tracked students over three years and found that those who were being taught with an integrated-math

curriculum outperformed their counterparts who were in a traditional sequence.”

Mohawk Trail’s Core Math Program Components.

1. Comprehensive and meets all CCSS-MA for each grade-level or course.

2. Students collaborate, persevere and take risks in class

3. Inquiry-based. Students solve meaningful and complex problems.

4. Meets the needs of all learners.

• Scaffolding and extensions are present.
• Heterogeneous classes through 10th grade
• Choice of different pathways after 10th grade

How does Integrated Math support our math program components and students better?

• Links Algebra and Geometry, and in turn both reinforce and support each other by seeing the same concepts in multiple contexts. (Component 4)

• Reduces the learning lost from Algebra I to Algebra II found in the current AGA model. (Component 4)

• Introductory Algebra and Geometry concepts are taught in IM I, which provides more learning opportunities before more difficult concepts in Algebra and Geometry are introduced in IM II and III. (Component 4)

• IM can be implemented in a semester or year long course. AGA is not compatible with semester-long courses. (Component 1)

• Partnership with local schools, such as NHS, who have already designed a comprehensive IM program that we can use. (Component 7)

• Local Districts with IM Pathways have strong MCAS Performance

Comparing the scope and sequence between Algebra I, Geometry and Algebra II vs Integrated Math.

• Please see the photos below.

• Also have a look at the Ed sub cttee - IM presentation for specific details about unit sequence or visit Open Up Resources at https://access.openupresources.org/curricula

Visit Massachusetts Common Core State Math Standards at (https://www.doe.mass.edu/frameworks/math/2017-06.pdf), specifically pages 111-156 and 167

Mohawk Trail SEPAC Member and Parent

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Do you have a question about your child, their services, or resources specific to your needs? If you or someone you know would like to be added to the private list and receive emails and event notifications, please send an email to: MOHAWKSEPAC@gmail.com Please indicate your email, title (such as parent of a student with IEP/504), District, Interested Party or other)

Disclosure: SEPAC maintains the list of contacts and keeps the information private. This email is maintained by a parent and volunteer. Our goal is to respond in a timely manner. We will get back to you as soon as we can. Thank you in advance for your patience and understanding.

There are a lot of upcoming non-sporting extracurricular events planned for the remainder of the year and I wanted to make sure that students and families are aware of expectations for students in relation to participation.

In order to participate, students must be in:

• Good behavioral standing - no more than 3 conduct referrals between the date the permission slip is sent home and the day before the field trip/ event.

• Good academic standing - not owing work or have unauthorised absences from school & classes (does not include work missed due to approved absences)

Students who are unable to participate in events will be provided academic work to complete during their regular schedule and will be expected to attend school, if the planned event takes place during the school day.

This information will be included in permission forms that caregivers are asked to sign and return.

Please see the section from the student handbook in relation to eligibility for sports:

P35

Participation And Eligibility

MTRS offers a variety of team sports in middle school, varsity and junior varsity interscholastic athletics. To be eligible to participate in sports, students must complete an annual physical, be in good academic standing, pay user fees, complete a baseline concussion assessment and sign an athletic contract. Fall sports include cross-country, field hockey, and football, girls’ volleyball, soccer, and golf. Winter sports include alpine (downhill) skiing, basketball, cross-country (Nordic) skiing, indoor track, and wrestling. Spring sports include baseball, tennis, softball, and track and field. Students interested in participating in athletics should contact Greg Lilly, Athletic Director, at ext. 1310.

We received further advice from the state about MCAS testing and I hope that information helps provide clarity around who and when MCAS testing takes place and how, even though MCAS is no longer a graduation requirement, we still expect students to take MCAS tests during their time at MTRS. This information will be sent to all families and students in grades 7-12 and included in our weekly newsletter.

Please reach out to me for any clarifying questions

What is MCAS?

MCAS stands for Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System, which is a set of standardized tests that assess how well students are learning the Massachusetts Curriculum Frameworks. The Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) develops and administers the MCAS. The MCAS helps teachers, parents, and students understand where students are excelling and where they need help. It also holds schools and districts accountable for their progress on the assessment.

Testing typically takes place during March - June and the schedule is shared on the website and directly with students and families directly. The following grade levels take MCAS tests at MTRS in the following subjects:

Voters removed passing the MCAS exams in high school as a required measure of competency to graduate high school. This means that while students will still take MCAS, they do not need to pass it in order to graduate from high school. The law now requires students to pass high school coursework equivalent to that tested by MCAS to demonstrate competency, along with meeting local graduation requirements, to receive a diploma. This means, students will need to meet MTRS graduation requirements, which includes passing rigorous courses in math, ELA, and science.

It is the expectation of the school, district and state that all students take all of the MCAS tests administered in grades 3-8 and 10, along with a science MCAS test in high school. At MTRS the high school science MCAS offered is typically biology in 9th grade. Participation in the MCAS is required by federal and state law and the ballot question did not change this requirement. DESE's accountability system will continue to use assessment participation rates (and the resulting achievement and growth data) in its annual determinations made through the district and school accountability system. This means, schools and districts will continue to be evaluated by student participation and performance on MCAS. These exams also give educators important information about the efficacy of our curriculum and teaching practices.

Do high school students still need to earn a Competency Determination (CD) in order to graduate?
High school students will still need to earn a CD in order to graduate. Since 2003, the CD has been based on achieving qualifying scores on relevant MCAS tests. After the November vote, CD is now based on "satisfactorily completing coursework that has been certified by the student's district."

In order to graduate from MTRS, students need to pass their scheduled classes in Science typically offered in grade 9 and ELA and Math in grade 10 or the equivalent, as well as fulfilling MTRS Graduation requirements. For example, students typically must pass biology in 9th grade in order to meet the science competency determination. However, there are many other courses that fulfill the requirement, and competence could be demonstrated by passing chemistry, physics, anatomy, AP coursework, or other rigorous lab sciences offered at MTRS. Similarly, in math, students will need to pass Algebra and Geometry or more rigorous courses. In ELA, they would need to pass 10th grade English or more rigorous ELA courses.

1. Strong performance on 2 or more MCAS tests in high school makes students eligible for the Adam's scholarship, which offers 4 years of in-state tuition to a state university
2. Educators and administrators use the test results to help them assess the efficacy of their curriculum and instruction, and to make improvements to their own practices. We want to see what is working and what needs improvement.
3. It is required by state and federal law that students in MCAS grades (3-8, high school) participate in MCAS tests.

Youth Basketball Helpers

The Hilltown basketball program hosts games each Saturday for elementary school athletes from district towns and Chesterfield. At those games, one may find former rec basketball players as student refs - like Mohawk Trail Regional students Bruin Thompson, AJ Redeker, and brothers Cyrus and Alvin Richardson.

These students are helping to build basketball capital as they put in an investment of time and talent to strengthen our program. Thanks, Gentlemen, for helping to grow the program one experience, one game, one team, and one opportunity at a time! You illustrate the true meaning of "community."

Student Retention Task Force

On January 7th, two virtual information sessions were held in an effort to recruit members to a Student Retention Task Force. The Mohawk Trail Regional School Committee has named student retention as a priority. School committee members leading the charge are Rachel Wang of Ashfield and John Chivers of Colrain.

The work of the group will be to develop a Student Retention Plan that will both examine the key issues affecting student retention and outline strategies that may be reasonably implemented in the near future. This effort is slated to begin presently and run through the end of the school year.

Rachel presented a slide deck and took questions from attendees. Principals from each of the Mohawk Trail Regional district schools gave an overview of efforts happening related to retention. Community-building events and outings, regular newsletters, and a new exit interview were referenced. Reports generated from the current sustainability study were also mentioned as resources that may prove helpful to this effort.

If this sounds like something you would like to be involved in or if you have ideas to share, fill out this form and/or reach out to Rachel for more information.

School Committee

We’re just about at the mid-year mark and it seems like a good time to plug the work of our school committee! Each district town is represented by a real human, or two, who dedicate hours a month to the art of understanding and making decisions that affect what happens in our schools. Each member serves on a subcommittee, adding more dedicated time to the month’s tally.

Meetings are recorded and may be accessed from the website shortly after they occur. (See the January 8th meeting here.) Generally, meetings fall on the second Wednesday of the month and begin at 6 pm, virtually or in person in the Mohawk Trail Regional Superintendent’s Conference Room. Agendas are posted ahead of time so that prospective participants may review topics. (See 2024 agendas and packets here, and 2025 here.) Please know, there are rules to participate. If you have something to bring forward, please connect with School Committee Secretary Patricia Donohue at least a week in advance.

You are encouraged to engage with the school committee members from your town when you have questions or observations that are important to you. See the members and their contact email address on this page (scroll down), or connect with the full committee by sending an email message to mohawktrailsc@mtrsd.org. They are here for you.

Berk 12 - update

Sustainability Study Update: December 2024

The 2Districts8Towns Steering Committee, in partnership with the BERK12 research team, is approaching an important milestone in the Sustainability Study. In the coming month (January 23rd), the BERK12 team will share analysis and findings of several models that have been identified as possible paths forward for the Mohawk Trail and Hawlemont Regional School Districts. The purpose of the study is to explore potential operating models (listed below) that ensure students receive the highest quality educational experiences while reflecting the fiscal realities of the eight towns:

1. No Change. Examine the status quo with projections into the near future if the districts remain as they are currently. No school closures.

2. Districts Merge. Mohawk Trail and Hawlemont Regional School Districts become a single PK-12 regional school district with 8 towns. No school closures.

3. Move 6th Grade. Move students to Mohawk Trail Regional School (MTRS), making it a grade 6-12 school with a 6-8 middle school. All elementary schools become PK-5. No school closures. The two scenarios to be considered are maintaining HRSD and MTRSD as separate districts and merging the two districts into a single PK-12 district.

4. Move 6th grade (and possibly 5th) to MTRS and close one to three elementary schools. The three scenarios to be considered are closing one elementary school, closing two elementary schools, or having all elementary schools consolidate at the Buckland-Shelburne Elementary site.

5. Single Campus. All schools combine onto a single PreKindergarten-12 campus at MTRS.

It’s important to emphasize that no decisions have been made, and input from stakeholders will be considered as the Committee weighs preferred options. Community members will have an opportunity to attend public meetings in February and March 2025 to learn more about the educational, fiscal, and operational implications of the models. Feedback and perspectives will be critical to informing Committee deliberations. Dates for these sessions will be announced in January and will be well-publicized.

As part of the study process, continued updates are being offered to stakeholders and reports on selected topics are being issued:

• On December 18, BERK12 provided a virtual update to staff members of Mohawk Trail Regional School District on progress of the Sustainability Study, including an explanation of research conducted to date and the process for identifying the five models.

• The 2districts8towns steering committee met on December 19 to review progress, and will meet again on January 23 to get a full report from BERK12 on the analysis of the five models.

• During the upcoming month, briefs will be posted on the topics of best practices for schools, class size, school adjustment counselors, instructional coaches, academic interventionists, placement of 6th grade in middle school vs. elementary school, and the high school block schedule. The briefs provide research and considerations about relevant educational topics as the community considers the five possible models for the Sustainability Study.

Community members are encouraged to review the resources section of the 2districts8towns website, which includes reports and presentations related to the study. Questions or comments can be submitted through the CONTACT link on the website. For those just becoming familiar with the Sustainability Study, a one page project overview is available HERE and a progress report is available HERE. For more information, contact project manager H. Jake Eberwein, jakeeberwein@gmail.com.

Please see the latest Student Services updates

Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts

Over 160 different scholarships available through our program, with most to residents of Franklin, Hampshire and Hampden counties. We give away over 1,000 individual awards. This equates to approximately $1.4 million in scholarships.

Our online application opens January 1, 2025 and closes on March 31, 2025.

Local Education Council (LEC)

This meets virtually every second Wednesday of the month between 3:45 and 4:30pm. More information can be found here. The next meeting will take place on Feb 12th

The virtual joining information is as follows:

Meeting ID

meet.google.com/gzo-toke-ibz

Phone Numbers

(‪US‬)‪+1 813-435-9650‬

PIN: ‪741 012 215#‬

Principal Drop-ins

As was the case last year, I will hold regular virtual office hours. You don’t need an appointment to come and talk with me and share your thoughts on what goes on at MTRS. I will try to be available for the whole 60 minutes but can't always guarantee it at our busy school. The next drop in will take place on Feb 14th: 8:00 to 9:00 a.m.

Meeting ID: meet.google.com/jtz-yhet-ipo

Phone Number: (US)+1 (813) 773-5581

PIN: 636 883 303

Email: cbuckland@mtrsd.org
Website: www.mtrs.mohawktrailschools.org
Phone: 413-625-9811
Facebook: facebook.com/mohawktrailregional